Featherstone Rovers announce former Leeds Rhinos winger to join board

Featherstone Rovers have had a turbulent 2024. After the club missed out on promotion last season, they have been subject to a number off the field issues which have threatened to derail their progress in recent years. 

Earlier in the year, iNews reported that player agent Damien Dussault was considering pursuing legal action against the club over unpaid agents fees. This was followed by a report in CityAM which suggested that the club was subject to a winding-up petition from the asset finance firm, Investec.

The turmoil off the field has bled onto the field to an extent. Featherstone Rovers have been consistent challengers for the top spot in the Championship in recent years. However, they sit in fourth place this season, with six wins from their opening 10 games.

Now, the club has announced a major update to their board, with further positive announcements expected in the coming weeks.

Former Leeds winger joins Featherstone Rovers board

The club announced today that former Leeds and Featherstone winger, Paddy Handley will join the board of directors. Handley, now Managing Director of PMJ Masonry, spent four years at Featherstone as a player, after coming through the youth set-up at Leeds. In the statement, Handley explained his motivation for the move.

“I feel incredibly honoured to join Mark Campbell and the Board at Rovers,” said Handley.

“Rovers are a very special Club for me and when I was made aware that Mark was looking to strengthen the Board, I was very keen to jump on board. I know the Club has had a challenging few months but I’m very confident with the introduction of myself and potentially other new Board members in the near future, we will quickly get the Club back to where it needs to be as a leading Club in the game.

“I want to make it clear that I’m not here to make up the numbers. I’m seriously committed to making a difference at the Club and I have ambitious plans to make immediate stadium improvements, most notably in terms of the Post Office Road terrace and in a massive overhaul of the player facilities including changing rooms.

“Featherstone has an excellent platform to build upon. It owns every inch of its 20 acre site, it is one of the best supported Clubs in the game, both home and away. In terms of performance, we have always been at the top end of the table challenging for promotion. I have been along to recent games and just love the energy around the fans and the Stadium and I really do want to make a difference in taking the Club forward on and off the pitch.

“I have met Mark as well as existing and potential new Board members and I feel a real energy around the group to drive the Club forward in areas such as stadium improvements, marketing and events, technology and retail. I am genuinely excited for the Club moving forward.” 

Featherstone chairman hopes appointment will energise club

Featherstone’s current chairman, Mark Campbell, who recently issued a statement announcing that he would leave the club once their cashflow issues were resolved, has been subject to criticism from fans for his role in the club’s recent issues.

However, he hopes that the appointment of Handley to the board is the first step towards re-energising the club and moving forward from their recent issues.

Mark Campbell, Chairman of the Club, added: “I made it clear in recent announcements that the Club were looking for new energised Board members, people with a genuine passion for the Club and Paddy absolutely fits that bill.

“In the brief time I have been working with Paddy, it is clear he does walk the talk and he has already been a great help to myself and Steve Clough in his support for the Club. I genuinely believe that with the addition of Paddy, we can continue our journey of improvement and I’m very excited about some of the proposed changes at the Club in the immediate future.”